Friday, January 24, 2014

Photo Friday: A day in Cologne

Thought I'd try out a photo Friday sharing with a twist. I've always thought photos are best shared with an anecdote, it makes it more interesting and definitely add another dimension to an otherwise 2 dimensional item (literally).

Cologne, Germany

This photo was taken during our Honeymoon Part 2 trip to Europe in 2013. Posing beside the magnificent Cologne Cathedral (the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe) and feeling like we were doing our pre-nuptual photoshoot all over again. We visited Cologne on a day trip with our awesome friends Hani & Tudoy who drove us all the way from Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The church had really intricate designs, a true masterpiece in architecture and sculpture, and also traditionally believed to be the home of the relics of the 3 wise men who visited Jesus when He was born...

Cologne in a Day

If you were visiting just for a day in Cologne, I would definitely recommend you visit the cathedral first and maybe try to climb the 500+ steps to the viewing deck.

There are a lot of other amazing medieval structures as well as intriguing modern architecture to see around the city and a day will not be enough to see all of them. It would definitely be worth walking around the vicinity of the church with a handy guide from the Tourist centre.

Love Padlocks
If you're feeling romantic, head to the Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge (walking distance from the cathedral), and bring a padlock with you. The tradition is to attach the padlock to the bridge and throw the key in the Rhine River. To make it extra special, get your names engraved into the padlock.

If you're not feeling sweet enough, head on over to the Lindt Chocolate Museum a short walk up the river side. They are closed on Mondays so be sure you plan your trip on another day.

Beer and Cologne
Before you go, don't forget to try the Kölsch beer, a special local brew, and why not have some bratwurst in a bun as well.

Then for souvenirs, consider some real authentic cologne from Cologne, or maybe some fantastic smelling soaps and lotions will do.

Tell me about your trip to Cologne!
Have you been to Cologne before? I'd love to hear about your trip too. Please share your stories with me in the comments section below.